Black(out) Friday with Cointreau and Dita Von Teese

What’s on our to-buy list for this Black Friday.. Well, aside from virtual shopping, I plan to put my money where my mouth is by eating and drinking at some of my favorite spots. To warm up to my evening affairs, (as warm as possible) I’ll run to the store quickly.. because it’s quite cold.. to grab some ingredients for a little pre-game cocktail soiree.

Luckily, I was able to have Cointreau Cocktail & Spirits Expert Kyle Ford demonstrate seasonal cocktails, including the Cointreau Rickey with a virtual step-by-step mixology class hosted from Queen of Burlesque Dita Von Teese’s Los Angeles home to help me through the process. The Virtual Holiday Soiree hosted LIVE from Dita’s house in Los Angeles was a unique opportunity to go “home for the holidays” with Dita and have unprecedented access into her incredible abode.

Here’s some of the signature cocktails we’ll be mixing up since we’re experts now..

The Cointreau Rickey

2 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

3-4 oz. Club Soda or Seltzer

Build all ingredients in a glass with ice. Stir briefly. Garnish with orange peel and lime twist.

Berry Rickey

2 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. Fresh lime juice

2 Blackberries

2 Raspberries

5 Mint leaves

3-4 oz. Club Soda or Seltzer

Muddle the berries and mint in the bottom of a glass. Build cocktail with remaining ingredients and ice. Stir briefly. Garnish with raspberry and blackberry on a pick and a mint sprig.

Apple Crisp

2 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

3 oz. Fresh Apple Cider

Pinch of nutmeg

Build all ingredients over ice in a highball glass. Stir well and garnish with apple slices.